adminsupply, an official said yesterday.
Creosote, a chemical used to treat poles, is in short supply in the region forcing the company to operate at quarter capacity from 11 000 poles per month incurring a loss of over US$200 000. Timber exports for the company, a division of Radar Holdings, also went down due to the shortage of creosote.
Radar Holdings group managing director Mr Elias Hwenga said the company had resolved to convert the second pole treatment plant to use copper, coal and arsenic instead of creosote.
“The second treatment plant will be running from mid November which will also enable us to meet export orders.”
About 90 percent of the treated poles are exported to countries like Kenya and Mozambique. Mr Hwenga said the South African company would be supplying Border Timbers with 44 tonnes of arsenic per month.
“Arsenic is more available in the region than creosote which depends on steel production,” Hwenga said.
Hwenga said the shortage of creosote was annual from the second half of the year. – New Ziana.
“There is usually a shortage of creosote every year between June and December,” he said, adding that Boarder Timbers was in talks with local consumers to accept arsenic-treated poles.
Unlike the export market, Mr Hwenga said some local buyers were skeptical about arsenic preserved poles.
“Arsenic poles are clean and do not have an odor making them suitable for use in accommodation facilities even in the tourism sector,” he said
There is generally an increase in the regional demand of poles due to rural electrification and expansion of telecommunication services in most African countries.-New Ziana
Online Reporter